Spring-wheel.



PATENTED APR. l0, 1906.

D. PARRAND. SPRING WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED MAYZO, 1905.

SMU CMy to z narran estaras Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented April 10, 1906.

Application led May 20, 1905- Serial No. 261,331.

T0 all whom zit may concern,.-

the shock and ar incident to load compres-- sion and irregu arities of the road-bed.

The main object' of the resent. `invention is to provide la combine pneumatic and spring yconnection between the rim and hub of the wheel whereby to render the rim and hub capable of such independent radial movement as may be necessary to avoid transference of shock and jar to the vehicle proper.

Another object is to so brace the said connections contiguous to their junction with the hub as to provide against any independent lateral movement of the hub under possible load-strain. y

With the above objects in view the invention consists in certain details of structure and combinations of parts, which are clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings and will be described in detail in the -following[ specication.

n the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a wheel constructed in accordance with my invention, one of the spokes being shown in section. Fig. 2.is a

transverse central section of the same 'with oneof the connections partly in elevation.

Referring to the drawings, my improved wheel comprises a hub 1, rim 2, and yielding connections, hereinafter termed spokes 7,

joining said rim and hub. The particular details of the rim and hub are immaterial so far as the present invention is concerned, it being understood'that the spoke construction forms the gist of my invention and that I contemplate their use with any preferred form of rim and hub. ln the present instance, however, the rim 2 is shown as having radially-projecting edge ianges 3 to receive and secure a. rubber or other tire 4, while the hub comprises the usual Acylindrical boxing bored to receive the wheel-axle. The rim is provided on its inner surface with a centrallyarranged circumferential rib 5, and the hub with annular flanges 6, projecting radially 'diametrical from near the ends of the hub and providing therebetween a space to receive the inner ends of the spokes 7. The s okes 7, which are of course arranged radial y of the wheel and in any desired number, are identical in construction, and a detailed description of but one will be necessary. Each spoke comprises two members-a stem 8 and a cylinder 9, the former being connected to the rim 2 and the latter to the hub 1. The outer end of the stem is formed or provided with a bifurcated extension 10, designed to embrace the rib 5 and be pivotally secured thereto by a transversely-arranged bolt 11. The outer end of the cylinder 9 is o en and arranged to be closed by a removablbcap 12, the stem projecting within the cylinder in the assemlage of the parts, passing through an opening 18 in said cap. The inner end of the stem is provided with a iston 14, snugly iitting inside of the cylin er, and 'a compressionspring 15 is arranged to encircle the stem, terminally bearing against the cap and piston, as shown. The spring is arranged to resist outward movement of the stem, thereby preventing any rattle due to looseness of fit or wear o oints of parts, and is preferably equal to the interior dimension ofthe cylin er, with its upper terminal encircling an annular boss 16, de cap. The c linder is close at its inner end and is of suc length relative to the stem that in the normal position of the parts a space is maintained between the piston 14 and the inner end of the cylinder, whereby to provide a pneumatic cushion for the piston in its inward movement, as will .be apparent. The suction of the piston in its outward movement tends toproduce a partialI vacuum behind it, thereby retarding its motion in such manner as to reinforce and assist the spring. To provide for the requisite strength of the cylinder without materially increasing the weight of the parts and also to provide lateral strain-resisting structure, l arrange diametrically opposite webs 17 on the cylinderbody. These webs extend from an annular strengthening-rib 18, arranged about midway o the length .of the cylinder, to and be- Vyond its inner end to provide ears 19, designed to engage with and betlween the hub- ,langes 6 and be ivotally connected thereto by a transverse olt 20. The webs 17 are preferably of gradually-increasing thickness in plan and longitudinal section from the ribl 18 to the inner end of the cylinder, with the IOO IlO

' diately spoke construction as a whole to resist lateral strain.

The o eration ofthe parts constructed and arranged) as described will be fully apparent from'the foregoing, it being understood that the combined spring and pneumatic cushion' permit radial liexibility of the parts and effective takep and absorb all shocks and jars incident to sudden starting and stopping gf he vehicle and irregularities of the road The flexibility of the Wheel is materially increased by the pivotal terminal connections o the spokes, While the strengthening- Webs described insure reliability of operation I by guarding against lateral nrov'ement7 thus increasing the resiliency and durability of the Wheel'. What I claim as new is A vehicle-Wheel including arim, a langed hub and s okes pivotally connected to the rim and hu each of said spokes comprising a cylinder having external strengthening-Webs extending lengthwise of thc cylinder and projecting at the base thereof and pivoted to the hub-flange; a stem pivoted to the rim, and provided with a piston mounted in the cylinder a spring-cushion above the piston and a pneumatic cushion beneath the piston Within the cylinder.

In testimony whereofl I affix in presence otwo Witnesses.

DUDLEY FARRAN D.

my signature Witnesses:

P. C. OsoANYAN, FRANK J. DAVIS. 

